keeping in touch

I recently came across some old photos of me and my co-workers from the business world and it’s brought back a flood of good memories.

Remembering my past lives as media relations boy, speech-writer boy, competitive intelligence boy and international marketing boy has been fun. While each job had its share of stress and frustrations, my brain has been mercifully selective, choosing to focus on the positive.

But the best memories of all come from remembering the people themselves, my co-workers.

There’s my old boss, who was a good friend, somebody I could confide in and who looked out for my best interests. Then there’s my old buddy who became a friend because we were both being abused for our faith in Christ.   

I miss my old co-workers. Not all of them, of course, because there were some stinkers, but many of them.

That said, I haven’t kept in touch with any of them. None. I searched on Facebook for a couple recently to no avail, but am going to keep trying.

Why I do mention this? Because friendships are a gift from God. (I don’t have a Bible verse to back that up, but believe it to be true.) Because of that, we should do everything in our power to maintain those friendships, even over time and distance.

It’s a cliché, but life’s too short to pass up or abandon relationships with people who give us joy and much-needed companionship.

So who do you need to look up after all these years? A childhood friend? A co-worker from many years ago? Someone you played sports with? A fraternity brother or sorority sister?

I encourage you to do it now, while you’re thinking about it. Sure, you might have nothing in common anymore and it might fizzle out a second time. But considering how valuable the relationship once was, isn’t it worth a shot?

So get busy. Google the person. Search for him or her on Facebook and LinkedIn. Do whatever it takes.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man (or woman) who falls and has no one to help him up!”1

Friendships—even those of long ago—are too precious to let fall by the wayside. Keep in touch and stay in touch.   

1  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10